CCRA PRESIDENT Bob Baron: January 2001 On behalf of the CCRA Executive, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you, all the best for the coming year. I hope that you have had an enjoyable holiday and that you have had the opportunity to visit with friends and relations in the true spirit of the season. I've lived in the Centennial area for ten years and have come to feel very strongly about it. This is my home. It's a great family area that is both visually and ecologically beautiful. It's residents are caring and hardworking and will offer support and assistance at the first sign it's required. This is an area where family values matter. You can see this in the attitude and exuberance of our youth, in the friendliness of neighbours, in the pride people take in the care of their homes and in the participation of all ages in the variety of programs, associations and community events that we are fortunate to have available to us. Not all communities are like this. Not all communities are made up of people with not only the desire to live in a great community but with the strength of purpose and willingness to work hard to make it a reality and not just a dream. In Gay Cowbourne's final President's Report last month, she listed the members of the CCRA Executive, indicating the activities for which they had assumed responsibility and also indicating the length of time these people have been donating their time, skills and effort to making our community great. I am proud and more than a little bit awed to be working with so impressive a group. I'm also more than a little bit humbled by the very impressive people who have previously been, President of the CCRA. They have left a legacy which is a challenge to live up to. I will do my best to be deserving of the position. Gay Cowbourne has been an excellent president. She has worked tirelessly in our interest without the expectation of our gratitude. She has not only attended our regular meetings and local functions but has attended City Council meetings, encouraged our political representatives to look after our concerns, helped establish and participate in project review committees and generally ensured the interests of our community were being best served. Thank you, Gay, on behalf of myself and our community. The past presidents of the CCRA have also worked closely with our elected officials. Over the years this has been a good strong relationship. As long as there are people trying to do their best for the community, the community will benefit. This is a tradition I fully intend to continue and look forward to working with Ron Moeser, Steve Gilchrist and John McKay. The most recent example of this co-operation is the project team formed to monitor the demolition of the Manson plant and ensure the demolition takes place in a way that minimises risk to our community (See the report from Liz Bowers). The concerns we have as individual citizens can often go unresolved because alone, we don't have the resources to pursue them to resolution. However, when we address them as a concerned group, we are better able to raise the visibility of our concerns in the public forum. Don't hesitate to bring your issues and concerns to my attention or the attention of any one else on the Executive. We are all here to look after your interests.